Jephthah

Jephthah led (šāp̄aṭ, וַיִּשְׁפֹּ֥ט) Israel for six years; then he died and was buried in his city in Gilead.1  Samuel mentioned Jephthah, along with himself, as one the Lord sent as a deliverer from the hand of the enemies all around you, and you were able to live securely2 when the people cried out to the Lord and admitted, “We have sinned, for we have forsaken the Lord and have served the Baals and the images of Ashtoreth.  Now deliver us from the hand of our enemies so that we may serve you.”3  Though there are some differences in the list of Judges Samuel mentioned between the LXX (the Greek translation of the Old Testament), the Targum and the Syriac Peshitta according to the footnote (19) in the NET, Jephthah made all three lists.  Jephthah was remembered again as a man of faith in Hebrews 11:32 (NET):

And what more shall I say?  For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak,4 Samson,5 Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets.

He is certainly worth my consideration.  Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a brave warrior.  His mother was a prostitute (zānâ, זונה), but Gilead was his father.6 Gilead had other sons by his wife.  When they grew up, they made Jephthah leave and said to him, “You are not going to inherit any of our father’s wealth, because you are another woman’s son.” So Jephthah left his half-brothers and lived in the land of Tob. Lawless men joined Jephthah’s gang and traveled with him [See Addendum below].7

Later, When the Ammonites attacked, the leaders (zāqēn, זקני) of Gilead asked Jephthah to come back from the land of Tob.8  They wanted him to be their commander (qāṣîn, לקצין) in battle.  When Jephthah recounted how they had treated him previously they pledged their loyalty to him as their leader (rō’š, לראש) if he would lead them victoriously in battle against the Ammonites (Judges 11:9-11 NET).

Jephthah said to the leaders of Gilead, “All right!  If you take me back to fight with the Ammonites and the Lord gives them to me, I will be your leader (rō’š, לראש).”  The leaders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The Lord will judge any grievance you have against us, if we do not do as you say.”  So Jephthah went with the leaders of Gilead.  The people made him their leader (rō’š, לראש) and commander (qāṣîn, ולקצין).  Jephthah repeated the terms of the agreement before the Lord in Mizpah.

So while Barak was appointed to his judgeship by the prophetess Deborah,9 and the Lord himself called Gideon (also known as Jerub-Baal),10 Jephthah rose to prominence through a backroom deal sanctified after the fact as an oath, or contract, at a holy place.  These circumstances in and of themselves don’t necessarily mean that Jephthah was not one the Lord…raised (qûm, ויקם) up as a deliverer (yāša, מושיע), like Othniel in Judges 3:7-11 (NET) or Ehud in Judges 3:12-30 (NET).  The text does not relate the circumstances of Othniel’s calling, nor those under which Ehud was raised up.  If it did I might find those circumstances as curious as the calling of Jephthah.

In the New Testament Paul described the calling of many in Corinth like this (1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NET):

Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters.  Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position.  But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong.  God chose what is low and despised in the world,11 what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, so that no one can boast in his12 presence.

In the book of Judges the Lord whittled Gideon’s army down from 32,000 to 300 warriors for exactly the same reason (Judges 7:2 NET Table):

The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to hand Midian over to you.  Israel might brag, ‘Our own strength has delivered us.’”

What is worthy of mention about Jephthah’s calling however is that it comes after the Lord has become so tired of this Monotonous Cycle of apostasy and repentance in Israel that He said (Judges 10:11-14 NET):

Did I not deliver you from Egypt, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Sidonians, Amalek, and Midian when they oppressed you?  You cried out for help to me, and I delivered you from their power.  But since you abandoned me and worshiped other gods, I will not deliver you again.  Go and cry for help to the gods you have chosen!  Let them deliver you from trouble!

But the Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned.  You do to us as you see fit, but deliver us today!”  They threw away the foreign gods they owned and worshiped the Lord.  Finally the Lord grew tired of seeing Israel suffer so much.13

Before I get too carried away by the thought that a marauding leader of lawless men [See Addendum below], the exiled son of a professional (or eager amateur) devotee of one of the Baals or Ashtars14 was exactly the kind of deliverer these Israelites deserved, I had better check myself and understand exactly who this marauding leader of lawless men, the exiled son of a professional (or eager amateur) devotee of one of the Baals or Ashtars was.

 

Addendum: January 19, 2019
Tables comparing Hebrews 11:32 and 1 Corinthians 1:28, 29 in the NET and KJV follow.

Hebrews 11:32 (NET)

Hebrews 11:32 (KJV)

And what more shall I say?  For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; ἐπιλείψει με γὰρ διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ, Σαμψών, Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν και τι ετι λεγω επιλειψει γαρ με διηγουμενον ο χρονος περι γεδεων βαρακ τε και σαμψων και ιεφθαε δαβιδ τε και σαμουηλ και των προφητων και τι ετι λεγω επιλειψει γαρ με διηγουμενον ο χρονος περι γεδεων βαρακ τε και σαμψων και ιεφθαε δαυιδ τε και σαμουηλ και των προφητων

1 Corinthians 1:28, 29 (NET)

1 Corinthians 1:28, 29 (KJV)

God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ τὰ ἀγενῆ τοῦ κόσμου καὶ τὰ ἐξουθενημένα ἐξελέξατο ὁ θεός, τὰ μὴ ὄντα, ἵνα τὰ ὄντα καταργήσῃ και τα αγενη του κοσμου και τα εξουθενημενα εξελεξατο ο θεος και τα μη οντα ινα τα οντα καταργηση και τα αγενη του κοσμου και τα εξουθενημενα εξελεξατο ο θεος και τα μη οντα ινα τα οντα καταργηση
so that no one can boast in his presence. That no flesh should glory in his presence.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὅπως μὴ καυχήσηται πᾶσα σὰρξ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ οπως μη καυχησηται πασα σαρξ ενωπιον αυτου οπως μη καυχησηται πασα σαρξ ενωπιον του θεου

 

Addendum: July 20, 2021
I may have gotten the wrong idea about the “lawless” men [who] joined Jephthah’s “gang.”

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Judges 11:3 (Tanakh) Judges 11:3 (NET) Judges 11:3 (NETS)

Judges 11:3 (English Elpenor)

Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain (רֵיקִ֔ים) men to Jephthah, and went out with him. So Jephthah left his half brothers and lived in the land of Tob.  Lawless (rêq, ריקים) men joined Jephthah’s gang and traveled with him. And Iephthae fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob.  And petty (λιτοὶ) men were coming together to Iephthae and would go out together with him. And Jephthae fled from the face of his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob; and vain (κενοὶ) men gathered to Jephthae, and went out with him.

Perhaps, like Jephthah, for whatever reason these men were not of the landed gentry, simply men without inherited wealth.

Tables comparing Judges 12:7; 1 Samuel 12:11; 12:10; Judges 11:1; 11:2; 11:3; 11:5; 11:9; 11:10; 11:11; 3:9; 3:15; 10:11; 10:12; 10:13; 10:14; 10:15 and 10:16 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing the Greek of Judges 12:7; 1 Samuel (1 Reigns, 1 Kings) 12:11; 12:10; Judges 11:1; 11:2; 11:3; 11:5 (11:4, 5); 11:9; 11:10; 11:11; 3:9; 3:15; 10:11; 10:12; 10:13; 10:14; 10:15 and 10:16 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.

Judges 12:7 (Tanakh)

Judges 12:7 (KJV)

Judges 12:7 (NET)

And Jephthah judged Israel six years.  Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead. And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead. Jephthah led Israel for six years; then he died and was buried in his town in Gilead.

Judges 12:7 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 12:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἔκρινεν Ιεφθαε τὸν Ισραηλ ἓξ ἔτη καὶ ἀπέθανεν Ιεφθαε ὁ Γαλααδίτης καὶ ἐτάφη ἐν τῇ πόλει αὐτοῦ Γαλααδ καὶ ἔκρινεν ᾿Ιεφθάε τὸν ᾿Ισραὴλ ἓξ ἔτη. καὶ ἀπέθανεν ᾿Ιεφθάε ὁ Γαλααδίτης, καὶ ἐτάφη ἐν πόλει αὐτοῦ Γαλαάδ

Judges 12:7 (NETS)

Judges 12:7 (English Elpenor)

And Iephthae judged Israel six years.  And Iephthae the Galaadite died and was buried in his city, Galaad. And Jephthae judged Israel six years; and Jephthae the Galaadite died, and was buried in his city Galaad.

1 Samuel 12:11 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 12:11 (KJV)

1 Samuel 12:11 (NET)

And HaShem sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelt in safety. And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe. So the Lord sent Jerub Baal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and he delivered you from the hands of the enemies all around you, and you were able to live securely.

1 Samuel 12:11 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 12:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν κύριος τὸν Ιεροβααλ καὶ τὸν Βαρακ καὶ τὸν Ιεφθαε καὶ τὸν Σαμουηλ καὶ ἐξείλατο ὑμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς ἐχθρῶν ὑμῶν τῶν κυκλόθεν καὶ κατῳκεῗτε πεποιθότες καὶ ἀπέστειλε Κύριος τὸν ῾Ιεροβάαλ καὶ τὸν Βαρὰκ καὶ τὸν ᾿Ιεφθάε καὶ τὸν Σαμουὴλ καὶ ἐξείλατο ἡμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν τῶν κυκλόθεν, καὶ κατῳκεῖτε πεποιθότες

1 Reigns 12:11 (NETS)

1 Kings 12:11 (English Elpenor)

And the Lord sent Ierobaal and Barak and Iephthae and Samouel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies who were round about, and you were living securely. And he sent Jerobaal, and Barac, and Jephthae, and Samuel, and rescued us out of the hand of our enemies round about, and ye dwelt in security.

1 Samuel 12:10 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 12:10 (KJV)

1 Samuel 12:10 (NET)

And they cried unto HaShem, and said: We have sinned, because we have forsaken HaShem, and have served the Baalim and the Ashtaroth; but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve Thee. And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee. Then they cried out to the Lord and admitted, ‘We have sinned, for we have forsaken the Lord and have served the Baals and the images of Ashtoreth.  Now deliver us from the hands of our enemies so that we may serve you.’

1 Samuel 12:10 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 12:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐβόησαν πρὸς κύριον καὶ ἔλεγον ἡμάρτομεν ὅτι ἐγκατελίπομεν τὸν κύριον καὶ ἐδουλεύσαμεν τοῗς Βααλιμ καὶ τοῗς ἄλσεσιν καὶ νῦν ἐξελοῦ ἡμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν καὶ δουλεύσομέν σοι καὶ ἐβόησαν πρὸς Κύριον καὶ ἔλεγον· ἡμάρτομεν, ὅτι ἐγκατελίπομεν τὸν Κύριον καὶ ἐδουλεύσαμεν τοῖς Βααλὶμ καὶ τοῖς ἄλσεσι· καὶ νῦν ἐξελοῦ ἡμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν, καὶ δουλεύσομέν σοι

1 Reigns 12:10 (NETS)

1 Kings 12:10 (English Elpenor)

And they cried out to the Lord and were saying, ‘We have sinned, because we forsook the Lord and were subject to the Baalim and the groves, and now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will be subject to you.’ And they cried to the Lord, and said, We have sinned, for we have forsaken the Lord, and have served Baalim and the groves: and now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

Judges 11:1 (Tanakh)

Judges 11:1 (KJV)

Judges 11:1 (NET)

Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah. Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah. Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a brave warrior.  His mother was a prostitute, but Gilead was his father.

Judges 11:1 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 11:1 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ Ιεφθαε ὁ Γαλααδίτης δυνατὸς ἐν ἰσχύι καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν υἱὸς γυναικὸς πόρνης καὶ ἔτεκεν τῷ Γαλααδ τὸν Ιεφθαε ΚΑΙ ᾿Ιεφθάε ὁ Γαλααδίτης ἐπῃρμένος δυνάμει· καὶ αὐτὸς υἱὸς γυναικὸς πόρνης, ἐγέννησε τῷ Γαλαὰδ τὸν ᾿Ιεφθάε

Judges 11:1 (NETS)

Judges 11:1 (English Elpenor)

And Iephthae the Galaadite was powerful in strength, and he himself was a son of a woman who was a prostitute, and she bore Iephthae to Galaad. And Jephthae the Galaadite [was] a mighty man; and he [was] the son of a harlot, who bore Jephthae to Galaad.

Judges 11:2 (Tanakh)

Judges 11:2 (KJV)

Judges 11:2 (NET)

And Gilead’s wife bare him sons; and his wife’s sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house; for thou art the son of a strange woman. And Gilead’s wife bare him sons; and his wife’s sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house; for thou art the son of a strange woman. Gilead’s wife also gave him sons. When his wife’s sons grew up, they made Jephthah leave and said to him, “You are not going to inherit any of our father’s wealth because you are another woman’s son.”

Judges 11:2 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 11:2 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἔτεκεν ἡ γυνὴ Γαλααδ αὐτῷ υἱούς καὶ ἡδρύνθησαν οἱ υἱοὶ τῆς γυναικὸς καὶ ἐξέβαλον τὸν Ιεφθαε καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ οὐ κληρονομήσεις ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν ὅτι γυναικὸς υἱὸς ἑταίρας εἶ σύ καὶ ἔτεκεν ἡ γυνὴ Γαλαὰδ αὐτῷ υἱούς· καὶ ἡδρύνθησαν οἱ υἱοὶ τῆς γυναικὸς καὶ ἐξέβαλον τὸν ᾿Ιεφθάε καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ· οὐ κληρονομήσεις ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν, ὅτι υἱὸς γυναικὸς ἑταίρας σύ

Judges 11:2 (NETS)

Judges 11:2 (English Elpenor)

And Galaad’s wife bore him sons, and his wife’s sons came to maturity and drove Iephthae away and said to him, “You shall not inherit anything in our father’s house, for you are the son of woman who is a courtesan.” And the wife of Galaad bore him sons; and the sons of his wife grew up, and they cast out Jephthae, and said to him, Thou shalt not inherit in the house of our father, for thou art the son of a concubine.

Judges 11:3 (Tanakh)

Judges 11:3 (KJV)

Judges 11:3 (NET)

Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him. Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him. So Jephthah left his half brothers and lived in the land of Tob.  Lawless men joined Jephthah’s gang and traveled with him.

Judges 11:3 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 11:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀπέδρα Ιεφθαε ἐκ προσώπου τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ καὶ κατῴκησεν ἐν γῇ Τωβ καὶ συνελέγοντο πρὸς τὸν Ιεφθαε ἄνδρες λιτοὶ καὶ συνεξεπορεύοντο μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔφυγεν ᾿Ιεφθάε ἀπὸ προσώπου τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ καὶ ᾤκησεν ἐν γῇ Τώβ, καὶ συνεστράφησαν πρὸς ᾿Ιεφθάε ἄνδρες κενοὶ καὶ ἐξῆλθον μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ

Judges 11:3 (NETS)

Judges 11:3 (English Elpenor)

And Iephthae fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob.  And petty men were coming together to Iephthae and would go out together with him. And Jephthae fled from the face of his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob; and vain men gathered to Jephthae, and went out with him.

Judges 11:5 (Tanakh)

Judges 11:5 (KJV)

Judges 11:5 (NET)

And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob: And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob: When the Ammonites attacked, the leaders of Gilead asked Jephthah to come back from the land of Tob.
Judges 11:5 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 11:4, 5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐγενήθη ἡνίκα ἐπολέμουν οἱ υἱοὶ Αμμων μετὰ Ισραηλ καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι Γαλααδ παραλαβεῗν τὸν Ιεφθαε ἐν γῇ Τωβ καὶ ἐγένετο ἡνίκα παρετάξαντο οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Αμμὼν μετὰ ᾿Ισραήλ, (5) καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι Γαλαὰδ λαβεῖν τὸν ᾿Ιεφθάε ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς Τὼβ

Judges 11:5 (NETS)

Judges 11:4, 5 (English Elpenor)

And it happened, when the sons of Ammon were making war with Israel, that the elders of Galaad went to take along Iephthae in the land of Tob. And it came to pass when the children of Ammon prepared to fight with Israel, (5) that the elders of Galaad went to fetch Jephthae from the land of Tob.

Judges 11:9 (Tanakh)

Judges 11:9 (KJV)

Judges 11:9 (NET)

And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head? And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head? Jephthah said to the leaders of Gilead, “All right.  If you take me back to fight with the Ammonites and the Lord gives them to me, I will be your leader.”

Judges 11:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 11:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Ιεφθαε πρὸς τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους Γαλααδ εἰ ἐπιστρέφετέ με ὑμεῗς πολεμῆσαι ἐν τοῗς υἱοῗς Αμμων καὶ παραδῷ κύριος αὐτοὺς ἐνώπιον ἐμοῦ ἐγὼ ὑμῗν ἔσομαι εἰς κεφαλήν καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Ιεφθάε πρὸς τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους Γαλαάδ· εἰ ἐπιστρέφετέ με ὑμεῖς παρατάξασθαι ἐν υἱοῖς ᾿Αμμὼν καὶ παραδῷ αὐτοὺς Κύριος ἐνώπιον ἐμοῦ, καὶ ἐγὼ ὑμῖν ἔσομαι εἰς ἄρχοντα

Judges 11:9 (NETS)

Judges 11:9 (English Elpenor)

And Iephthae said to the elders of Galaad, “If you are returning me to fight against the sons of Ammon, then let the Lord give them over before me.  I will be for a head to you.” And Jephthae said to the elders of Galaad, If ye turn me back to fight with the children of Ammon, and the Lord should deliver them before me, then will I be your head.

Judges 11:10 (Tanakh)

Judges 11:10 (KJV)

Judges 11:10 (NET)

And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words. And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words. The leaders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The Lord will judge any grievance you have against us if we do not do as you say.”

Judges 11:10 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 11:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι Γαλααδ πρὸς Ιεφθαε κύριος ἔσται ἀκούων ἀνὰ μέσον ἡμῶν εἰ μὴ κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου οὕτως ποιήσομεν καὶ εἶπαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι Γαλαὰδ πρὸς ᾿Ιεφθάε· Κύριος ἔστω ἀκούων ἀνὰ μέσον ἡμῶν, εἰ μὴ κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου οὕτω ποιήσομεν

Judges 11:10 (NETS)

Judges 11:10 (English Elpenor)

And the elders of Galaad said to Iephthae, “The Lord will be the one who hears between us, if we do not do so, according to your word.” And the elders of Galaad said to Jephthae, The Lord be witness between us, if we shall not do according to thy word.

Judges 11:11 (Tanakh)

Judges 11:11 (KJV)

Judges 11:11 (NET)

Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh. Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh. So Jephthah went with the leaders of Gilead.  The people made him their leader and commander.  Jephthah repeated the terms of the agreement before the Lord in Mizpah.

Judges 11:11 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 11:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐπορεύθη Ιεφθαε μετὰ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων Γαλααδ καὶ κατέστησαν αὐτὸν ἐπ᾽ αὐτῶν εἰς κεφαλὴν εἰς ἡγούμενον καὶ ἐλάλησεν Ιεφθαε πάντας τοὺς λόγους αὐτοῦ ἐνώπιον κυρίου ἐν Μασσηφα καὶ ἐπορεύθη ᾿Ιεφθάε μετὰ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων Γαλαάδ, καὶ ἔθηκαν αὐτὸν λαὸς ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς εἰς κεφαλὴν καὶ εἰς ἀρχηγόν. καὶ ἐλάλησεν ᾿Ιεφθάε πάντας τοὺς λόγους αὐτοῦ ἐνώπιον Κυρίου ἐν Μασσηφά

Judges 11:11 (NETS)

Judges 11:11 (English Elpenor)

And Iephthae went with the elders of Galaad, and they appointed him over them for a head, for a leader, and Iephthae spoke all his words before the Lord at Massepha. And Jephthae went with the elders of Galaad, and the people made him head and ruler over them: and Jephthae spoke all his words before the Lord in Massepha.

Judges 3:9 (Tanakh)

Judges 3:9 (KJV)

Judges 3:9 (NET)

And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. When the Israelites cried out for help to the Lord, he raised up a deliverer for the Israelites who rescued them.  His name was Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.

Judges 3:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 3:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐκέκραξαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ πρὸς κύριον καὶ ἤγειρεν κύριος σωτῆρα τῷ Ισραηλ καὶ ἔσωσεν αὐτούς τὸν Γοθονιηλ υἱὸν Κενεζ ἀδελφὸν Χαλεβ τὸν νεώτερον αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰσήκουσεν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκέκραξαν οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ πρὸς Κύριον· καί ἤγειρε Κύριος σωτῆρα τῷ ᾿Ισραήλ, καὶ ἔσωσεν αὐτούς, τὸν Γοθονιὴλ υἱὸν Κενέζ ἀδελφοῦ Χάλεβ τὸν νεώτερον ὑπὲρ αὐτόν

Judges 3:9 (NETS)

Judges 3:9 (English Elpenor)

And the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up a deliverer for Israel, and he delivered them, Gothoniel son of Kenaz, Chaleb’s younger brother, and he obeyed him. And the children of Israel cried to the Lord; and the Lord raised up a saviour to Israel, and he saved them, Gothoniel the son of Kenez, the brother of Chaleb younger than himself.

Judges 3:15 (Tanakh)

Judges 3:15 (KJV)

Judges 3:15 (NET)

But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab. But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab. When the Israelites cried out for help to the Lord, he raised up a deliverer for them.  His name was Ehud son of Gera the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The Israelites sent him to King Eglon of Moab with their tribute payment.

Judges 3:15 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 3:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐκέκραξαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ πρὸς κύριον καὶ ἤγειρεν αὐτοῗς κύριος σωτῆρα τὸν Αωδ υἱὸν Γηρα υἱοῦ τοῦ Ιεμενι ἄνδρα ἀμφοτεροδέξιον καὶ ἀπέστειλαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ δῶρα ἐν χειρὶ αὐτοῦ τῷ Εγλωμ βασιλεῗ Μωαβ καὶ ἐκέκραξαν οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ πρὸς Κύριον· καὶ ἤγειρεν αὐτοῖς σωτῆρα τὸν ᾿Αὼδ υἱὸν Γηρὰ υἱὸν τοῦ ᾿Ιεμενί, ἄνδρα ἀμφοτεροδέξιον. καὶ ἐξαπέστειλαν οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ δῶρα ἐν χειρὶ αὐτοῦ τῷ ᾿Εγλὼμ βασιλεῖ Μωάβ

Judges 3:15 (NETS)

Judges 3:15 (English Elpenor)

And the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Aod son of Gera son of Iemeni, an ambidextrous man.  And the sons of Israel sent gifts to King Eglom of Moab by his hand. And the children of Israel cried to the Lord; and he raised up to them a saviour, Aod the son of Gera a son of Jemeni, a man who used both hands alike: and the children of Israel sent gifts by his hand to Eglom king of Moab.

Judges 10:11 (Tanakh)

Judges 10:11 (KJV)

Judges 10:11 (NET)

And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Lord said to the Israelites, “Did I not deliver you from Egypt, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines,
Judges 10:11 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 10:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ οὐχὶ οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι καὶ οἱ Αμορραῗοι καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Αμμων καὶ Μωαβ καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι καὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς τοὺς υἱοὺς ᾿Ισραήλ· μὴ οὐχὶ ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ ᾿Αμορραίου καὶ ἀπὸ υἱῶν ᾿Αμμὼν καὶ ἀπὸ Φυλιστιΐμ

Judges 10:11 (NETS)

Judges 10:11 (English Elpenor)

And the Lord said to the sons of Israel, “Did not the Egyptians and the Amorites and the sons of Ammon and Moab and the allophyles And the Lord said to the children of Israel, Did I not [save you] from Egypt and from the Amorite, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Phylistines,

Judges 10:12 (Tanakh)

Judges 10:12 (KJV)

Judges 10:12 (NET)

The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. the Sidonians, Amalek, and Midian when they oppressed you?  You cried out for help to me, and I delivered you from their power.

Judges 10:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 10:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ Σιδώνιοι καὶ Μαδιαμ καὶ Αμαληκ ἐξέθλιψαν ὑμᾶς καὶ ἐκεκράξατε πρός με καὶ ἔσωσα ὑμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς αὐτῶν καὶ Σιδωνίων καὶ ᾿Αμαλὴκ καὶ Μαδιάμ, οἳ ἔθλιψαν ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἐβοήσατε πρός με, καὶ ἔσωσα ὑμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς αὐτῶν

Judges 10:12 (NETS)

Judges 10:12 (English Elpenor)

and Sidonians and Madiam and Amelek oppress you?  And you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. and from the Sidonians, and Amalec, and Madiam, who afflicted you? and ye cried to me, and I saved you out of their hand?

Judges 10:13 (Tanakh)

Judges 10:13 (KJV)

Judges 10:13 (NET)

Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. But since you abandoned me and worshiped other gods, I will not deliver you again.

Judges 10:13 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 10:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ὑμεῗς ἐγκατελίπετέ με καὶ ἐλατρεύσατε θεοῗς ἑτέροις διὰ τοῦτο οὐ προσθήσω τοῦ σῶσαι ὑμᾶς καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐγκατελίπετέ με καὶ ἐδουλεύσατε θεοῖς ἑτέροις· διὰ τοῦτο οὐ προσθήσω τοῦ σῶσαι ὑμᾶς

Judges 10:13 (NETS)

Judges 10:13 (English Elpenor)

And you have abandoned me and served other gods; therefore I will not add to deliver you. Yet ye forsook me and served other gods; therefore I will not save you any more.

Judges 10:14 (Tanakh)

Judges 10:14 (KJV)

Judges 10:14 (NET)

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. Go and cry for help to the gods you have chosen!  Let them deliver you from trouble!”

Judges 10:14 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 10:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)

βαδίζετε καὶ βοᾶτε πρὸς τοὺς θεούς οὓς ἐξελέξασθε ἑαυτοῗς καὶ αὐτοὶ σωσάτωσαν ὑμᾶς ἐν καιρῷ θλίψεως ὑμῶν πορεύεσθε καὶ βοήσατε πρὸς τοὺς θεούς, οὓς ἐξελέξασθε ἑαυτοῖς, καὶ αὐτοὶ σωσάτωσαν ὑμᾶς ἐν καιρῷ θλίψεως ὑμῶν

Judges 10:14 (NETS)

Judges 10:14 (English Elpenor)

Go away, and cry aloud to the gods you have chosen for yourselves, and let them deliver you in the time of your distress.” Go, and cry to the gods whom ye have chosen to yourselves, and let them save you in the time of your affliction.

Judges 10:15 (Tanakh)

Judges 10:15 (KJV)

Judges 10:15 (NET)

And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day. And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day. But the Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned.  You do to us as you see fit, but deliver us today!”

Judges 10:15 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 10:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ πρὸς κύριον ἡμάρτομεν ποίησον σὺ ἡμῗν κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ἂν ἀρέσκῃ ἐνώπιόν σου πλήν κύριε ἐξελοῦ ἡμᾶς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ καὶ εἶπαν οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ πρὸς Κύριον· ἡμάρτομεν, ποίησον σὺ ἡμῖν κατὰ πᾶν τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου, πλὴν ἐξελοῦ ἡμᾶς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ

Judges 10:15 (NETS)

Judges 10:15 (English Elpenor)

And the sons of Israel said to the Lord, “We have sinned; do to us according to everything that is pleasing before you; only, Lord, deliver us in this day!” And the children of Israel said to the Lord, We have sinned: do thou to us according to all [that is] good in thine eyes; only deliver us this day.

Judges 10:16 (Tanakh)

Judges 10:16 (KJV)

Judges 10:16 (NET)

And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel. And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel. They threw away the foreign gods they owned and worshiped the Lord.  Finally the Lord grew tired of seeing Israel suffer so much.

Judges 10:16 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 10:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ μετέστησαν τοὺς θεοὺς τοὺς ἀλλοτρίους ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἐλάτρευσαν τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ οὐκ εὐηρέστησεν ἐν τῷ λαῷ καὶ ὠλιγοψύχησεν ἐν τῷ κόπῳ Ισραηλ καὶ ἐξέκλιναν τοὺς θεοὺς τοὺς ἀλλοτρίους ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἐδούλευσαν τῷ Κυρίῳ μόνῳ, καὶ ὠλιγώθη ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ ἐν κόπῳ ᾿Ισραήλ

Judges 10:16 (NETS)

Judges 10:16 (English Elpenor)

And they put away the foreign gods from their midst and served the Lord, and he was not well pleased with the people, and he was worried about the suffering of Israel. And they put away the strange gods from the midst of them, and served the Lord only, and his soul was pained for the trouble of Israel.

1 Judges 12:7 (NET)

2 1 Samuel 12:11 (NET)

3 1 Samuel 12:10 (NET)

4 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had τε και following Barak (KJV: and of).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

5 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και following Samson (KJV: and of).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

6 Judges 11:1 (NET)

7 Judges 11:2b, 3 (NET)

8 Judges 11:5 (NET)

9 Judges 4:4-9

10 Judges 6:14-32 (NET)

11 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the conjunction και (KJV: and) joining this clause to the next.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

12 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had αυτου (KJV: his) here, where the NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had τοῦ θεοῦ, i.e., God’s presence.

13 Judges 10:15, 16 (NET)

14 Judges 10:6 (NET) Ashtars was from the first edition of the NET.  Note 9: The Ashtars were local manifestations of the goddess Ashtar (i.e., Astarte).